title: Protection of spermatogenesis against gamma ray-induced damage by granulocyte colony-stimulating factor in mice.
abstract: The radioprotective effects of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (GCSF) were further investigated with respect to the testicular system. Recombinant human GCSF (100 μg kg(-1) body weight/day) was administrated to male C3H/HeN mice by subcutaneous injection for three consecutive days before pelvic irradiation (5 Gy) and histopathological parameters were assessed at 12 h and 21 days post-irradiation (pi). The GCSF protected the germ cells from radiation induced- apoptosis (P < 0.01 vs. irradiated group at 12 h pi). GCSF remarkably attenuated radiation-induced reduction in testis weight, seminiferous tubular diameter, seminiferous epithelial depth and sperm head count in the testes (P < 0.05 versus irradiated group at 21 days pi). Repopulation index and stem cell survival index of the seminiferous tubules were increased in the GCSF-treated group when compared with the radiation group (P < 0.01). The frequency of abnormal sperm in the GCSF group was lower than that in the irradiated group at 21 days pi (P < 0.01). The decrease in the sperm count and in sperm liability in the epididymis caused by irradiation was counteracted by GCSF. The present study suggests that GCSF protects from radiation-induced testicular dysfunction via an anti-apoptotic effect and recovery of spermatogenesis.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Experimental Pathology, Korea Institute of Radiological & Medical Sciences, Seoul, South Korea.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Jeon
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Jang
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Moon
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D005720:Gamma Rays / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016179:Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008809:Mice, Inbred C3H; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D011833:Radiation Injuries, Experimental / Q000517:prevention & control; D011837:Radiation-Protective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D012670:Seminiferous Epithelium / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000528:radiation effects; D012671:Seminiferous Tubules / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000528:radiation effects; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000528:radiation effects*; D013737:Testis / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000528:radiation effects
chemical_list: D011837:Radiation-Protective Agents; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D016179:Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor